Smooth like butter🧈
Clay Shively is here to stay
For years, Kansas has been the birthplace of some of the greatest track and field athletes (or their careers) and has played a monumental role in the progression of the sport itself. Olympians, world record holders, gold medalists—we’ve got ‘em all. Maurice Greene, Glenn Cunningham, Wes Santee, Archie San Romani, and of course, Jim Ryun. For years, these men have continued to hold their own in the record books as our state continues to get faster and re-write history in the process. However, Ryun’s name was one that rarely moved, and in some cases, it still hasn’t.
A lot of you probably remember reading about a man named Brett Myer breaking Ryun’s indoor mile soil record, which at the time had stood for fifty-three years. In February of 2021, Meyer ran 3:58.39 to win the Ichabod Invite. Since then, Meyer has run 3:37.57 for 1500m and 3:56.18 for the mile (3:51.81 road mile), along with a seventh place finish in the Men’s 1500m finals at the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, OR. Since Meyer’s record-breaking run, Ryun’s state records have reached a standstill. His national junior class record for the mile was broken by Southern Boone’s (MO) Connor Burns at the HOKA Festival of Miles last June, where the junior ran 3:58.83, besting Ryun’s 58-year-old record of 3:57.98.
Flash forward to nearly two weeks ago at the Arkansas Invitational. 3A state champion Clay Shively, out of Wichita-Trinity is toeing the line in his first mile since June 2nd of 2022. Coming off of a new state record 3k of 8:30.64, I think we all knew we were in for a treat. However, I don’t think any of us were ready for what Shively was about to do. In the third section of the men’s mile, Shively toed the line against a plethora of DI athletes. The gun went off, and Shively simply ran his own race. As the bell rang signaling the final lap, Shively powered past two collegians, closing in a 28.09 200m, the latter half of what was a 57.5 final 400m.
4:04.95.
The eighth fastest finisher in a field of collegiate athletes, sub-four milers, All-Americans, and most likely more accolades that I didn’t bother looking up. The cherry on top? As soon as he crossed that finish line, Clay Shively was now the fastest indoor miler in Kansas high school history, passing the legendary Jim Ryun as he barreled down the home stretch.
As a fan of the sport and someone who loves to see our state get national attention, I became incredibly excited for the future of the sport within Kansas and the future of Kansas athletes on the national level. It seems the last few years have been slowly building up for a breakthrough of success from Kansans, and, ladies and gentlemen, I think it’s here.
Thankfully for us, Shively took the time to answer some questions that I drew up for him, and give readers an insight into who he is as an athlete and how he got to where he is now, but more importantly, the kind of person he is.
You’ve seen massive improvement throughout your high school career so far. From a 17:40 5k and a 4:47 1600m as a freshman, to a 14:47.40 and 4:04 Mile as a junior. I can assume that there are a lot of factors that have gotten you to this point of your career, but what would you give the most credit to?
Honestly one of the biggest parts of my growth has been about doing the little things. My coach is brilliant and he writes up some pretty great workouts for us, but if I don’t show up hydrated, fueled, and well-rested, we just aren’t going to accomplish the goals we set out for ourselves in that session. Strength work and constant stretching/rolling out are essential as well for me to stay healthy. I think my fast improvement is also a sign that I’m now doing what I was made to do, which is running for the glory of God.
When you broke the indoor state record, you were going up against some of the quickest athletes in the country, including a few that have run sub-four. Would you say you were nervous or did you have an adjusted mindset based on the competition you were facing?
I’d say I was definitely nervous going into the race, but I think I was more nervous about the fact that I hadn’t run a Mile in 7 months than I was about the competition. My approach has always been to run my own race; it’s hard at times but reminding myself not to get too wrapped up in the competition is essential for me. You can see that I approach my races that way if you’ve ever watched me run.
You and your teammates have made Wichita-Trinity not only a state power, but some relevance on the national stage as well. Everybody knows who you are and has the sole purpose of beating you guys. How have you and your team adjusted to having a ‘target’ on your backs?
Our team is stronger than we’ve ever been and we’re getting better every week. We understand what we’re capable of and that our goals, which may seem lofty to some, aren’t out of reach. In the past we’ve been that team in the chase-pack going after that #1 spot, so we know what it’s like for other teams to want to beat us. Whether they end up beating us or not, we all get better in the process and that’s what really matters.
It’s only January and you’ve already run under 4:05. I think we both know the barrier you want to get under this year. With that being said, will you be racing in any national/out-of-state meets to surround yourself with other high schoolers with the same goal?
I’ll be racing in the championship mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals in March. While yes I want to run even faster this year, I try not to put time goals on a certain race. There is going to be the best high school mile field in history so whatever happens, I’m honored to just be a part of such an awesome experience.
Looking onto the outdoor season, what is your biggest goal for the spring?
Like I said before I try not to get too hung up on time so going into outdoor, I’m mainly focused on getting into good post-season races, whether that be the pro field in St. Louis at the Festival of Miles or Brooks PR. I also really look forward to getting in some good races with other KS guys There’s a lot of talent in our state right now, more than there’s probably ever been, so I'm definitely excited to take advantage of some of those opportunities when they come my way.
What aspect of your training do you think has played the most important role in helping you reach this level of fitness?
I would say the fact that I have a team to do all of my training with has been the most important factor to reaching my current level of fitness. While I do enjoy the occasional solo run I can’t imagine where I would be if it wasn’t for my team pushing me in workouts and runs. I also think my coaches have trained us incredibly well with the way they have been patient with the process and slowly built our mileage and overall intensity over the last few years.
Do you listen to music as you get mentally prepared for a race, or are you someone that prefers no distractions? If you are a music guy, what are some songs on your pre-race playlist, and which one gets you the most pumped?
“Sing Your Praise To the Lord” By Rich Mullins is my go to pre-race song whether it be in the car or before I warm up. It starts out with this awesome hammer dulcimer part in a minor key; then, it builds up to this awesome strum break. It’s one of the most incredible pieces of music I’ve even listened to, and it definitely hypes me up. Really any Rich Mullins song will get me ready though.
What do you want everybody who reads this to know about Clay Shively?
In running, I think one of the worst things we can do is make people our rival and begin to hate them just because they’re our competitor. I love getting to know the people I’m racing against and hearing about why they run and other things they’re passionate about. For me, running is a form of worship to God. I know he has given me this gift for a reason. I love the Eric Liddell quote, “God made me fast, and when I run I feel his pleasure” I’m blessed to have the opportunities I have and I definitely don’t want to waste them. To me, not wasting my opportunities looks like running with joy and getting to know the people I run with.
Sunflower State Spotlight🌻
Earlier this month, the University of Kansas won the KU-KSU-KU Triangular meet for the first time since 2019, while scoring 268 points as a team, the most since the meet was revived in 2015.
Kansas’ Rylee Anderson remains the top high jumper among all collegians, as she is still the only woman to clear 6-2, sitting three-quarters of an inch above the next closest DI competitor.
Photo: Iowa State Athletics Sanele Masondo, a two-time NJCAA national champion for Colby Community College signed to continue his running career at Iowa State University. Masondo is joining a talented incoming class for the Cyclones, including St. Thomas Aquinas’ Colby King.
The Pittsburg State men are currently ranked #1 in the most recent USTFCCCA poll. The Gorillas currently have twenty athletes/relays that have hit the DII Provisional Standard, and are the defending NCAA outdoor team champions. The women are ranked #4 in the nation with nineteen women/relays with the standard.
Other in-state teams ranked within the top twenty-five in the national poll are the men of Fort Hays State (#10), the women of St. Mary (#16), Benedictine (#23) and MidAmerica Nazarene (#25). Barton (#4), Butler (#7), Cloud County (#8), Coffeyville (#11), Northwest Kansas (#12), Cowley (#14), Fort Scott (#15), Colby (#17), Hutchinson (#20) and Dodge City (#22) are all in the top twenty-five. For the women, Barton (#4), Cloud County (#5), Cowley (#9), Hutchinson (#14), Fort Scott (#15), Butler (#17), Colby (#18) and Dodge City (#22) are all ranked as well.
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Another great column.